Issue 1 - Friday 1st September 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you have had a lovely summer and are ready for the return to school next week. Parkfield staff have been working hard over the summer to ensure that the building and classrooms looks great for the new year. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Parkfield on Wednesday 6th September from 8.45am with Early Birds available from 7.30am.
Please take note of some important messages and reminders below and we look forward to seeing you next week. Have a lovely weekend.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
MORNING ROUTINE - SCHOOL STARTS AT 8.45am PROMPT.
We will be continuing the morning routine of lining up outside in the playground with a member of staff collecting the class at 8.45am. This ensures a timely and organised start to the day for pupils. Please note that the doors close at 8.50am. Arrivals after this time will have to enter through the main entrance. Pupils arriving after 9.00am will be recorded as late.
Please note that learning starts as soon as children enter the classroom so a child that is 15 minutes late every day will miss 1 hour and 15 minutes of learning per week - which is over 40 hours over the school year. This has a detrimental impact on learning so please ensure they arrive on time.
UNIFORM
We look forward to seeing all our smartly dressed Parkfielders on Wednesday morning. The uniform includes:
Royal blue V-neck jumper/cardigan (with or without the school logo)
Plain white shirt (long or short sleeve)
Tie (Royal blue with thin double gold stripe) (KS1 – elasticated, KS2 – large)
Grey trousers/skirt/shorts/pinafore
Grey, black or white tights or socks
Blue/white checked dress
Black shoes or plain black trainers without any logos and with plain black soles.
Footwear must be suitable for school and not pose a health and safety risk for the child or other children or adults (e.g. No high heels/sandals/boots)
Please visit our web page for more information about uniform. https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/uniform.html
RECEPTION PUPIL TIMINGS FOR WEEK ONE
If your child is in the morning group (siblings of pupils already in school), they can come along to the Reception entrance and drop from 8.45am for the first week. They are to be picked up at 11.00am.
If your child is in the afternoon group, please drop off at 1.00pm and pick up at 3.15pm. When dropping off for this first week you will have to come through the main school gates as children will be in the playground at drop off time.
All reception children will be in full time (8.45am - 3.15pm) from Wednesday 13th September.
STAFF NAME CHANGES
Two members of staff were married over the summer and return with new surnames. Miss Steele will return to Parkfield as Mrs Smith and Miss Howard will return as Mrs Clawson.
ROBINWOOD MEETING (Y5) - THURSDAY 7th SEPTEMBER @ 3.15PM
There will be a parents meeting on the second day back in September (Thursday 7th at 3.15pm) for our new Y5 families. The meeting will give you some key information about the Robinwood residential. All payments should now have been paid for the trip - if not, please contact the school office.
WINNING HOUSE
A reminder that Bamford house (Yellow) were awarded the most house points last half term and as a result may come to school wearing non-uniform next Friday 8th September.
PE TIMETABLE FOR SEPTEMBER (Y4 Swimming starts on the second week back.)
Starting from the first day back, PE days are as follows and children are to come dressed in their PE kit. Every class has two lessons with Mrs Banks each week.
Monday: Year 3 and Year 4
Tuesday: Reception, Year 5 and Year 6
Wednesday: Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4
Thursday: Reception, Year 1, Year 2
Friday: Year 1, Year 5 and Year 6
PE KITS
A reminder that on their PE days, Parkfielders are to wear their PE kit. They are not allowed to come in other sports clothing. We have had a number of pupils this year come to school in football shirts or t-shirts with large slogans on during their PE days. This looks untidy and doesn't meet our high expectations. A reminder about uniform and PE kit can be found on our website here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/uniform.html
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
An email allowing you to sign up your child for particular clubs will be sent next week. Clubs are due to start on Monday 11th September.
Y4 SWIMMING LESSONS
Y4 start their swimming lessons at Middleton Arena on Wednesday 13th September. More information will follow in a separate email but they will be having an hour swimming lesson every Wednesday up until February.
WATER BOTTLES
Children will be given new water bottles in September.
KS2 LOCKERS
The KS2 lockers are only small. As a result, children only need a drawstring type bag for school. There is no need for large bags.
BREAK TIME SNACKS
A healthy snack (no crisps or chocolate) can be sent into school for KS2 children to enjoy during their morning break. Snacks can also be purchased at the tuck shop for 20p.
Snacks are provided free of charge for pupils in KS1. This usually includes a piece of fruit and milk.
EARLY BIRDS AND BUSY BEES - PLACES AVAILABLE
A few spaces are available for both clubs. Please contact the office if you would like to book your child onto the sessions.
A reminder that the governors have had to increase the cost of Early Birds to £2 per session (7.30am - 8.45am). Busy Bees will continue to cost £8 per session (3.15 - 5.30pm). More information can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/before-and-after-school-club.html
WELCOME MR ROBINSON
We welcome our new Y6 teacher Mr Robinson to Parkfield this week. He is an experienced Y6 teacher and is looking forward to joining the school and teaching his new class.
STAFF ROLE CHANGES
Mrs Clawson (was Howard) is our new Deputy Headteacher and one of her roles is SENCO.
Mrs Price is our new Assistant Headteacher and she will be leading EYFS and KS1.
Mr Kemp is now the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
DINNERS MONIES
Dinner monies will remain at £2.50 per day. However, there is a likely to be a price increase later on this academic year and wewill inform you when the increase is to take place.
DIARY DATES
Please keep an eye on the diary dates for the whole school year at the bottom of this page or on our website here.
SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
Mr Kemp is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Mrs Clawson and Mrs Smith (Deputy DSL). If you have any concerns about the needs or welfare of a pupil, please don't hesitate to contact the school. We all share a responsibility to our pupils safety and wellbeing.
As a school our promise is: We will listen, we will support and we will take action.
ATTENDANCE and PUNCTUALITY
As you are all aware, school attendance and punctuality is one of Parkfields priorities and I have been thrilled with the support that parents have been giving with regards to improving their children’s attendance.
Our school target is 96% this year and we need your continued support to ensure that we meet this mark.
Persistent Absence
Persistent absence is defined by the Government as attendance below 90%. This equates to 19 days or more of absence a year or 100+ lessons missed. If a child’s attendance drops below 90% this could lead to them becoming a safeguarding concern. This could also result in the authority taking legal action against parents, resulting in a fine or court appearance. Over the next few weeks I will be making contact by letter with the families of children whose attendance is below 90% to invite you into school for a discussion about how we can support you to improve your child’s attendance.
Thank you so much to all the families who have been working hard to ensure children’s attendance and punctuality is high. Establishing early good habits really will make a positive difference to their lives. The link between attendance and achievement cannot be over stated. Your child will achieve better if they are in school every day. Only in very exceptional circumstances should a child be absent from school. Please ring the school office no later than 8.30am to report an absence.
Punctuality
Please get your child to school on time. Poor punctuality can lead to your child…
Feeling embarrassed in front of their friends
Missing the beginning of vital lessons making them fall behind
Missing important instructions for the rest of the school day
At Parkfield children are to line up before school and doors open at 8.45am. They close at 8.50am.
If you arrive after 8.50am you will have to come through the school office.
HEALTH and SAFETY
STAY SAFE EARLY BIRDS - REMINDER
If your child is attending Early Birds, please walk down the path and through the KS1 yard - it may take a few more seconds but it's much safer than walking through the busy car park. If the hall door is ever closed as we now get into the colder months, simply ring the bell for assistance.
Dogs are not permitted in the school playground.
If driving, park further away from the school and walk to reduce congestion and the possiblity of any serious accidents.
Unfortunately, Parents and Carers are not allowed to drop off and pick up from the school car park at any time.
Children are not allowed on the play equipment before and after school. Please keep them off.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
5 WAYS TO WELLBEING
At Parkfield we promote the 5 ways to Wellbeing which can help children and adults to achieve a more positive lifestyle.
#THRIVE offer a local service for children and young people aged up to 19 years who are experiencing health and wellbeing issues such as feeling stressed, worried or not enjoying things. #Thrive can also provide advice and support to parents, carers and anyone that works with a child or young person. You can find out more information about the service by clicking here: https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/thrive